Knock-down display device



Dec. w, 1935. *A. HAILPARM 2,023,419

KNOCK-DOWN DISPLAY DEVICE Filed July 18, 1935 /Z INVENTOR 3/ Z0 A/ber/flwlaarw. A

' BY ta; ATTO NEY;

Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNOCK-DOWN DISPLAYDEVICE Application July 18, 1935, Serial No. 31,979

10 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to display devices, and hasparticular reference to an improved knock-down arch display.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a new and improvedtype of display device, composed entirely of relatively simplestructural elements, adapted to be inexpensively manufactured, shipped,or stored in a flat condition; set up into rigid, self-supportingcondition with a minimum of effort; and useful in providing anattractive and ornamental arch upon which suitable advertising indiciamay be printed or displayed.

The present type of device may be of any desired size, but for thepurpose of explaining the general characteristics of the structure, Iwill state that a satisfactory embodiment, for use on a display counterof a store, or in a show window, has a pair of columns approximatelythree to four feet high, and a cross-beam approximately five feet inlength.

One of the features of the invention lies in constructing the device ofthree collapsible or knock-down elements, two of which are adapted toserve as upright spaced columns, the third of which is adapted toserveas a cross-beam which rests upon the columns. Each of the elementscomprises a single blank of sheet material, such as cardboard or thelike, collapsibly shaped into the form of a hollow prism. The term prismis used herein in a broad sense and is intended to include within itsscope the configurations herein illustratively exemplified, in which thecolumns are each of circular, cylindrical cross-section, and thecross-beam is of trapezoidal crosssection.

Whereas each of the elements is so constructed that it may be collapsedinto substantially flat condition when it is not in use or duringperiods of storage or shipment, the invention provides means forconveniently setting up each element, rigidifying the structure, andseparably interlocking the prisms to form the desired arch.

A further feature of my invention lies in a novel and inexpensive meansfor bracing the columns. More particularly, I provide a pedestal of woodor the like, a pole similarly of wood or the like and removablysupported on the pedestal and adapted to extend upwardly through thecolumn, together with internal bracing means carried by the pole andprojecting radially into bracing relation to the internal surface of thecolumn.

Similarly, it is a feature to provide novel and inexpensive bracingmeans for the cross-beam. More particularly, my invention providesinternal, removable, bracing discs, and openable end walls for theprism, both of these elements conforming substantially to thecross-sectional configuration of the beam and serving to brace thelatter in set-up condition.

Other features of the construction lie in the general arrangement andconstruction of parts whereby a device of simple and economicalcharacter is easily manufactured, stored, shipped, set 10 the manner inwhich the parts are intercon- 20 nected;

Figure 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 33 of Figure 1.;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner ofinserting the column braces;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the columns in collapsed orflattened condition; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cross-beam 30 in flattened orcollapsed condition.

The device consists essentially of the two spaced upright columns l0 andH and the crossbeam I2. Each of the columns is composed of a singleblank of sheet material folded upon itself to form a collapsible,tubular structure, as illustrated more clearly in Figure 5. At one endof the blank a series of projecting attachment tabs l3 are provided; andnear the opposite end a pair of oppositely disposed, integral tabs 14are adapted to be bent outwardly, as shown most clearly in Figure 2,when the device is set up.

Each of the columns is identical with the other, and a description ofone will, therefore, suffice.

The cross-beam is similarly composed of a single blank of sheet materialwhich is shaped into a collapsible, tubular structure, as shown mostclearly in Figure 6. This figure shows the tube in flattened orcollapsed condition. In the embodiment illustrated, the tube, when setup, is of trapezoidal cross-section, comprising the bottom relativelywide wall Hi, the two upwardly convergent side walls l6 and I1, and thetop wall l8. At the ends of the blank suitable hingeable flaps areprovided, together with integral end walls IS, the latter being adaptedto be folded into the plane of the collapsed structure, as shown inFigure 6, or to be adjusted into the transverse relationship shown inFigures 1 and 2 when the device is set up.

In the bottom l5 of the cross-beam two spaced and relatively largeopenings 20 are provided, and these openings conform to the exteriorcross-sectional area and contour of each of the columns. Since, in theillustrated embodiment, the columns are of circular, cylindricalconfiguration, each of the openings 20 is circular.

The other elements of the assembly consist of the two relatively rigidpedestals 20 (preferably of wood or the like), the two poles 2! (alsopreferably of wood or the like), a series of columnbracing discs 22, anda set of cross-beam bracing discs 23. Each of the bracing discs 22 and23 is made of relatively rigid material, such as corrugated or stifienedcardboard or the like, and each disc has a margin which conformssubstantially to the cross-section of the prism which it braces.Moreover, each of the discs 22 has a central opening 25 (see Figure 4)of a size permitting it to be impaled snugly over one of the poles 2|.Each of the discs 23 is similarly provided with a central opening 26,this opening serving merely as a convenient hand-hold, i. e., permittingthe finger of the hand to be inserted through the opening so that thedisc can be manipulated into position.

Since each of the elements of the structure, 1. e., the columns and thecross-beam, is collapsible into fiat condition, as shown in Figures 5and 6, the entire assembly may be stored or shipped in a substantiallyflat container.

When the structure is to be assembled and set up, each of the columnelements is first squeezed into opened relationship, as shown in Figure4, and at least one of the discs 22 is inserted into it, in the mannerexemplified in Figure 4. Preferably, two discs- 22 are used for eachcolumn. One is inserted into one end of the tube, and the other isinserted into the opposite end. They are inserted in a somewhat endwisemanner, and are then turned into a transverse direction which wedges themarginal edge of each disc into bracing relation with the internalsurfaces of the column. This holds the column in set-up, prismatic form.

One of the poles 2| is then mounted upon one of the pedestals 20, andfor this purpose a bore or hole 21 is provided at the midpoint of eachpedestal. The other pole is then similarly mounted upon the otherpedestal. Each tube is then applied endwise over its corresponding pole,so that the pole passes or is threaded through the openings 25 in thediscs 22.

The flaps I3 are then bent laterally outward and are suitably secured tothe pedestal by means of tacks or the like. This completes the assemblyof each pedestal, pole, column tube, and braces, and forms aself-sustaining, staunch, and rigid, upright column adapted to supportthe cross-beam.

The collapsed cross-beam, as illustrated in Figure 6, is then openedinto prismatic or tubular condition, and the discs 23 are inserted intoopposite ends, in the same way that the discs 22 were inserted into thecolumn tubes. Care must be taken to insert each disc beyond the opening20 so as to leave this opening unimpeded. Each disc is then turned intotransverse relationship, and because of its predetermined contour andrigid nature it braces itself within the confines of the prism and holdsthe crossbeam in set-up condition. The beam is then applied to thecolumns, each column passing snugly upwardly through the correspondingopening 20, thereby concealing the upper end of 5 the column within theconfines of the crossbeam. By deflecting the tabs l4 outwardly, thesetabs form transverse brackets which en gage with the bottom wall 15 ofthe cross-beam, and not only limit the insertion of the columns into thecross-beam but serve as bracket supports for the cross-beam. Obviously,during the application of the cross-beam to the columns, the latter mustbe properly spaced apart, so that they will enter into the correspondingopenings 20.

Finally, the end walls or flaps [9 are manipulated into closedrelationship, and this is done in the same general Way as the end of anycardboard box is folded or tucked into position. Preferably, but notnecessarily, the body of the cross-beam has an inturned flap 28 providedwith a slot 29, and the end wall l9 has a small tab 33 which is adaptedto fit into this slot 29. Also, the end wall is preferably provided withthe inturned flaps 3| and 32 which tuck into the ends of the prism.

When the structure is assembled, it may be rested upon a store counter,or upon the floor; or it may be placed in a store window, or used in anyother desired manner. With suitable advertising ornamentation andindicia on the 'columns and on the cross-beam, an attractiveattention-arresting device results. In many cases, it is preferable toarrange a display of the commodities that are advertised around thepedestals 2B and underneath the arch; or they may be ornamentallystacked adjacent to each of the columns. Some may even be rested uponthe cross-beam, provided that the weight is not too 40 great.

The disassembly of the device, after it has been used for the desiredperiod of time, is just as simple as its assembly. The stepshereinbefore described are carried out in reverse order and the variouselements and parts are adapted to be stacked in substantially flatrelationship and restored to the orginal flat condition. If desired, allof the elements may be completely discarded after the device has beenused, because the structure is so simple and economical in nature thatsalvaging of the parts is not essential.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, hereindescribed and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of myinvention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims.

It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted asillustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A knock-downdisplay device comprising a 5 pair of columns and a cross-beam, each ofsaid elements comprising a single blank of sheet material collapsiblyshaped into the form of a hollow prism, and means for separablyinterlocking said prisms to form an arch in which the columns 7 serve asspaced upright supports for said crossbeam.

2. A knock-down display device comprising a pair of columns and across-beam, each of said elements comprising a single blank of sheetmaterial collapsibly shaped into the form of a hollow prism, collapsiblemeans for bracing each prism in set-up condition, and means forseparably interlocking said prisms to form an arch in which the columnsserve as spaced upright supports for said cross-beam.

3. A knock-down display device comprising a pair of columns and across-beam, each of said elementscomprising a single blank of sheetmaterial collapsibly shaped into the form of a hollow prism, means forseparably interlocking said prisms to form an arch, and meansreinforcing said columns and comprising a pedestal for each column, apole supported on the pedestal and extending upwards through the column,and internal bracing means carried by the pole and projecting radiallytherefrom into bracing relation to the internal surface of said column.

4. A knock-down display device comprising a pair of columns and across-beam, each of said elements comprising a single blank of sheetmaterial collapsibly shaped into the form of a hollow prism, means forseparably interlocking said prisms to form an arch, and meansreinforcing said columns and comprising a pedestal for each column, apole supported on the pedestal and extending upwards through the column,and in ternal bracing means carried by the pole and projecting radiallytherefrom into bracing relation to the internal surface of said column,said bracing means comprising at least one disc of relatively rigidsheet material impaled on said pole with its margin frictionallyengaging with said column.

5. A knock-down display device comprising a pair of columns and across-beam, each of said elements comprising a single blank of sheetmaterial collapsibly shaped into the form of a hollow prism, means forseparably interlocking said prisms to form an arch, and means bracingsaid cross-beam and including at least one disc of relatively rigidsheet material whose margin conforms to the cross-section of the beam,said disc being removably insertable into the beam in transverse bracingrelationship thereto.

6. A knock-down display device comprising a pair of columns and across-beam, each of said elements comprising a single blank of sheetmaterial collapsibly shaped into the form of a hollow prism, means forseparably interlocking said prisms to form an arch, and means bracingsaid cross-beam and including end walls for the prism,

said walls comprising openable flaps integral with the material of thebeam and conforming in contour to the cross-section of the beam.

7. A knock-down display device comprising a pair of columns and across-beam, each of said 5 elements comprising a single blank of sheetmaterial collapsibly shaped into the form of a hollow prism, means forseparably interlocking said prisms to form an arch, and means bracingsaid cross-beam to hold it in set-up condition, said bracing meanscomprising openable end flaps integral with the beam material, andremovable transverse inserts of relatively rigid sheet material, saidflaps and inserts conforming in contour to the cross-section of thebeam.

8. A knock-down display device comprising a pair of columns and across-beam, each of said elements comprising a single blank of sheetmaterial collapsibly shaped into the form of a hollow prism, and meansseparably interlocking said prisms to form an arch in which the columnsserve as spaced upright supports for said cross-beam, said meanscomprising openings in the underside of the beam adapted to accommodatethe upper column ends, respectively, and abutments on the columnsadapted to receive and support said beam thereon.

9. A knock-down display device comprising a pair of columns and across-beam, each of said elements comprising a single blank of sheetmaterial collapsibly shaped into the form of a hollow prism, and meansfor separably interlocking said prisms to form an arch in which thecolumns serve as spaced upright supports for said cross-beam, said meanscomprising openings in the underside of the beam adapted to accommodatethe upper column ends, respectively, and abutments on the columnsadapted to receive and support said beam thereon, said abutmentscomprising integral flaps bent laterally to underlie the beam at areasadjacent to said openings.

10. A knock-down display device comprising a pair of columns and across-beam, each of said elements comprising a single blank of sheetmaterial so shaped that it may be adapted to be set up into the form ofa hollow prism, each prism being adapted to be collapsed intosubstantially flat condition, and means for separably interlocking saidprisms to form an arch in which the columns serve as spaced uprightsupports for said cross-beam.

ALBERT HAILPARN.

